THE MINNESOTA WORKER. “Whatsoever thy hand, flndcth to do, do it with thymlght.” Volume 6. DODGE CENTEK, MINN., FEB. 5, 1895. Number 16 BIBLE STUDY. To be much benttideJ aom the study of the subject of the Spirit of G Klsome time must be devoted to a careful examination of the texts. The arrangement of the texts is merely suggestive. Many other rexts can be profitably studied iu connection with them. Those who conduct the study should give prayerful consideration to the preparation of the lesson. No definite number of topics is recommended for a lesson. Sometimes a whole hour may be very profitably spent in the consideration of a single topic. We trust all our brethren will be much bene fitted and blessed while studying this precious subject. Topic 7.—Spirit gives power to obey the word of God. 1 Pet. 1:22; Eze. 36:26, 27; 1 John 3:23, 24. Topic 8.—Spirit, in connection with the word, an agency in tin new birth and regeneration. John 3:3, 5, (5; Titus 3:5; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23; 1 Sam. 10:6. Topic 9.— virit gives wisdom and discretion. Gen. 41:33, 38; Ex. 35:30—36; Isa. 11: 2; Acts 6:3, 5; 1 Cor. 12:7—12 Topic 10.—Spirit resisted leaves the person and the heart is hardened. 1 Sam. 16:14; Isa. 30:1, chapter 63:10; Zach. 7:12; Eoh. 4:30 Heb. 4:6. Topic 11. —Spirit is an agency by which God sends messages to his servants through his servants. 2 Chron. 15:1, 2; chapter 24:20; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:16—18; chapter 11:28; chapter 21:4, 11. Topic 12.—Spirit a pledge that the promises of God shall not fail. Isa. 34:16; Mat. 28: 19, 20; 2 Cor. 5:4, 5; chapter 2:U 20—22; Epb. 1:13; chapter 4:30. N. W. Allee. MINNE APOLI8 INSTITUTE, This Institute conducted by Mrs A. E. Ellis at Minneapolis during the week beginning Jan. 7th for the benefit of missionary workers was a success from start to finish. The instruction given was so plain and yet so comprehensive that all who attended with a desire to learn could not, fail to receive much help in learning better how to work for God and perishing souls. The subject of missionary correspondence was taken up; each individual was requested to give a practical illustration of what a missioiir ary letter ought to be by writing one each evening and was read for correction. It was shown that God’s love in the heart for lost souls is the first essential in doing any kind of missionary work Our first effort should be to establish confidence in the mind and heart of those for whom we labor. To awaken an interest should be our next aim ; but it is not necessary, at first, in awakening an interest to say anything about the Sabbath or any other doctrinal point peculiar to our faith. There are precious truthes in the Bible that are dear to every Christian’s heart, and we can meet them on this common ground, thus preventing and removing a great deal of prejudice . Huvr slow we have been to learn the lesson Paul designed to teach when he said, “For though I be free from all men, yet I have made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.” He became as weak as the weakest that he might save some; that is, he could and did sym-■ p: tbize with those who were downcast, disheartened, and discouraged. He was simply living out the principles the Savior had taught him, by meeting men just where he found them, and thus lift them up, pointing them to a higher and a better life. [t is much easier to lift a load when close to it, so instead of reaching down to help the fallen and the weak, let us get down by their side and lift them up in the name and strength of Jesus. Wo have felt so rich and increased in goods—so strong and mighty in argument on our side of the question, so sure we were all right and everyone who differed from us was all wrong—4hat. our missionary efforts many times have created prejudice and retarded the work. We should always cultivate a spirit of Christian courtesy and love for those who do not agree with us. We can never win them by sharp cutting argument. We need more of the spirit, of Christ, and less of the spirit of self which so often places us above and beyond our fellow men, and thus separates us from them. These and many other important l°ssons were taught, and I hope so well learned that eternity aloDe will reveal some starry crowns as a result. L. B. LosEy. THE MINNESOTA WOBKEB. THE SABBATH SCHOOL Little Lambs. “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom.” The same kind shepherd tells his followers to -“Feed my lambs.” Our minds naturally turn to children of Christian parents when we think of the lambs, but what are the little ones outside the fold? Does not the Savior's great heart of love and pity yearn for the little ones growing up in sin aiound us? Yes, we knoa he loves them with an everlasting love, and these hearts are the best soil for seeds of truth. We cannot estimate the result of a wavo of blessing started in a child's life. These thoughts inspire us to work for the children of this place, and we write hoping to encourage some one else Each Tuesday afternoon, directly after school closes, the children come to the Hall. For several weeks good skating and sliding have detract d from the attendance, but the number averages twenty. They eagerly look forward to the day. As we studied the Savior’s life the children were inspired to work for that loving friend. One lictle boy, son of a bar tender, related his exper ience in being patient. Many times in trying to catch their horse he felt like swearing, but remembered ihe Savior and refrained from it. A little girl of nine has commenced reading her Bible by couuse: has read three books. This child 8 parents do not attend any church, and as little Mattie recites her Bible verses at home she is wielding a powerful influence. The children all love to learn Bible verses and in tneir homes remember and try to live out the little song;— "Little light* God has given To this dark world of sin,— Deeds of love, thoughts of heaven, Pleasant words, smiles that win/’ Mrs. C. H. Pa ker. Birth-Day Offerings. Home should be made the bappiest place in the world. It is there that we live out all the religion we have. ‘‘Home religion” is all the kind of religion that is worth anything. There are many people who when they enter their home lay aside the pleasant smiles and polite ways that make them so attractive to strangers. They have no time to spend in making happy those who are nearest and dearest to them. They cannot give any time or thought to preparing pleasant evenings at home. No account is made of holidays or birth days which would so delight the children. While claiming to live Christian lives they feel that they must give all their time to “working in the cause” and so have no time to spend iD making home happy. Among the sins mentioned as characteristic of the last days are,—“having a form of godliness” without the power, and “without natural affection.” Is there not danger of our failing to show affection in our homes to those who have the first claim on us and thus making our religion degenerate into a mere form? Religion is love, and a religious home is one in which love reigns, not merely one in which the forms of religion are practiced. But can it be said that love reigns if never a word of love is spoken between members of the family from one week's end eo another? Can parents expect their children to grow’ up with a love for others and a desire to w^rk for others and deny self if they do not set the example? Birth-days and holidays are happy occasions for children if the parents will only take a little pains to provide some simple pleasure for them on suoh days. They may be made seasons of much profit as well, if spent in the right way. We need not follow the customs and practices of the world at such times, neither nbed we disregard such days entirely. They should be made seasons of thanksgiving to God for his blessings which surround us, and may be spent in a way that will honor him. In the first page article in the Review of Nov. 13, .1894, we read these words from tne pen of Sister White:— "Children and youth should be edneated to make God first in their thoughts, and thus a revenue of gifts and offerings, like little rivulets, would flow into the treasury of the Lord. But parents have failed to educate their children to act in an unselfish way and have co-operated with the enemy in educating them according to a false standard. "Parents have not taught their children the precepts of the law as God has commanded them. They have educated them iu Selfish habits. They have taught them to regard their birth-days and holidays as occasions when they expect to receive gifts, and to follow tho customs and habits of the world. These occasions, which should serve to increase the knowledge of God and to awaken thankfulness of heart for his mercy and love in preserving their lives for another year, arc turned into occasions for s^lf-pleasing, for the gratification and glorification of the children. They have been kept by the power of God through every moment of their lives and yet parents do not teach their children to think of this, and to express thanksgiving for his mercy toward them. If children and youth had been properly instructed in this age of the world, what honor, what praise and thanksgiving, would flow from their lips to God. What a revenue of small gif ts would be brought from the hands of the little ones to be put into his treasury as thank-offerings. God would be remem be red instead of forgotten. "Not only on birth-days snould parents and children remember the mercies of the Lord in a special way, bnt Christmas and New Year’s should also be seasons when every household should remember their Creator and Redoemer. Instead of bestowing gifts and o fferings in such abundance on hnman objects, reverei.ee, honor, and gratitudj should lie rendered to God, and gifts and offerings should be caused to flow in the divine chaunol. Would not the Lord be pleased with such a remembrance of Him? 0 how God has been forgotten on these occasions. At Lie very time when his lov-iug kindness should be remembered, his mercy lias been ignored. "When you have a holiday, make it a pleesant day for your children, and also make it a pleasant day for the poor and fflicted. Do not let the day pass without bringing thanksgiving and thank-offerings to Jesus. * * * * Set your children’s thoughts running in a new unselfish channel, by inciting them to present offerings to God for the gift of his only bejottea Son. Let a box be made to receive the gifts of the children. Tho intelligences of heaven are waiting to co-operate with hnrr.a i n"onts in every work of benevolence, that there may be means in tae treasury of the Lord, and ‘meat in mine house,’ saith the Lord.” Would it not be a good plan fo* all to give as their special birth-day offering, as many pennies as they are years old on their birth day? This may seem like a small sum to many, but perhaps it is more than they have given in the past, and if the children could earn it themselves (and parents should help them to do this) it would be quite a good deal for them. If any should wish to give more of .ourse they could do so. Will not THE MINNESOTA WORKER. each of our S. S. Superintendents suggest this plan to his school and encourage the members to adept it? The children will be glad to follow it and we trust the older ones also. If it is mentioned to the school occasionally the custom will Boon become established. It might be a good plan to keep these birth-day offerings separate from the other offerings and see how much they would amoun t to in a quarter. Some have been afraid this plan might reduce the regal ir offering jn the S. S., but would it not rather have the opposite effect? Prov. llJ 24,25. We would hk^ to see the.plan tried. A. L. L. PROGHE89 OF THE WORK. Among tbQ G^^rpiibB. Since the institute at Mankato I. haye visited the company at Red Wing and the churches at Lake City, Pleasant Grove und Austin. Precious seasons were enjoyed at each of these places. The company at Red Wing have been weakened.by re-: movals; but those who'remain afe growing in grace and knowledge. The company is composed, mostly of sis-: ters, and in some cases they have opposing relatives, making it difficult in some things to do as they Would like. Not being able to obtain a Hall they have held their meetings in a private house . . Considerable time was spent at Pleasant Grove. This is said to be the oldest church in the Conference and they have parked through mauy and varie l experiences. The brethren related mahV interesting incidents in connection with the early mstory of the work in this section, I was especially interested in some of the “sayings” cf Father Pierce (one of the pioneer workers) whose 1 ome was with this church. Fpr some, time past the church has been passing through trial. Satan was permitted to take advantage and he was not slow to use it. As the message for this time was presented, and the love of God placed before them, there was u turning to the l«ord. Confessions were made and reconciliations effected. Brethren Hopkius and Edwards who have served the church sixteen years as elder and deacon expressed a desire to be released from theee duties. New officers were accordingly elected and mrdi i ied. A club of 13 “Signs” and 12 “Sentinels” were subscribed for. We left them feeling that the Lord was smiling on fris people. Part of the week of player was spent at Medford. The nieetings were well attended and were felt to be a bles-sing. The meetings at Austin were well attended and the Lord was present to help in the administration of his Word, A. we dwelt upon the privileges of the people of God the brethren took fresh courage. One Indy kept her first sabbath with us during the meetings. i feel it to be a great privilege to be a worker together with God and my courage is good. C. W. Flaiz. North Dakota. Since my last report I have been working m different places as the way opened. Ne v settlements have been formed here by people who have moved nere from So. Dakota and other places. The poverty of these people : : • - - ■■ • is very great. I am sure most of the readers jhave no idea how they live, and would not feel content to live that way. The winter so far has been very favorable for them, not being very cold and stormy. They; have no feed for their cattle and horses. Some horses have already died from want of proper food. I hope. Jbhese things will help them to realize mors and -morewhat life is for, that they may take hold of the Gospel and be saved. Some are standing in the valley of decision. Others are kept back by the tracts of D. M. Canwright, which have been translated into the German language by the German Baptists, and scattered very -thickly among the Germans fyere. As they cannot do anything against the truth but for the truth, I am lookiug for victories, although some things look dark at present. The week of prayer has been one of much blessing to the cnurch here. It will either bring us nearer to Christ, or harden us against the pleading of his Spirit, The Lord also reclaimed two backsliders, the man is some seventy y£»ars old. I atn now b'.cy distributing some clothes among the needy, which were seiit me from the Minneapolis Soc., for which I ai >ry thankful I wish some of our people could see >v uit l see, and I am sure they would do mor< for the .edy, than they have done bo far. I visited one iainu., of live coildron, where the children are sent to bed. when the mother washes the clothes, and they are only such as we would wear »n hot summer weather, only inferior in quality. Another family I sa .v, wh . r he baoy had only a calico “slip” to keep her warm iu mulwinter. To those who have helped here, tbe Loi\: vui sny some day, “I was hjked and ye clothed me.” May the good iiord help us all to give assistance those who need our help, not only in temporal, bntspir-ipial things, that it may be said unto usf “Well done!” L am of good courage in the Lord, and ask you to pray for me. C. J. Kunkkl. Since my last report I visited the Hampton church, as there during the week of prayer. This was a precious season for us all. Eleven preaching services and twelve other meetings were held—parents meetings meetings pertaining to the church and work. A few that would not walk with the church were disfellow-shiped. The church officers were elected; Elder L. H. Ells being chosen elder. . I was at Livanaand held nine preaching services, visiting some families. A school teacher and. hiawife were deeply interested, I labored for them and hope they will have grace to walk in the light. I next visited Danville, one family is keeping the sabbath at this place. They were formerly Du nkards and still hold to trine immersion. I labored to help them and believe they will unite with us. I held three preaching services at this place. At bro-. tber Rit teahouse’ place near Sterling I spent a few days and held six meetings with the blessing of the Lord. I next met with the church at Sanborn, holding several meetings. Church officers were elected and also a librarian. Death has taken one of their number - -Lilian Hazeltine who was the clerk. This little society has been blessed in its missionary work, a few have THE MINNESOTA WORKER. taken a stand for the truth and others are interested It should be so in every place. If we consecrate ourselves to God, live consistent lives, and labor m a consistent way we shall see fruits from our labor, for our work for the Lord is not in vain. In all this work I have had the help of the Lord, and go forward trusting in Him. Andrew Mead. THE MISSIONARY WORK. neport cf Labor of Minnesota Tract Sooiety, for Quarer Ending Dec. 31, 1804. No. of societies report ing....................... 56 Letters written................................. 1050 Letters received................................. 525 Bible readings held............................ 427 Subscriptions for periodicals.................... 162 Periodicals distributed....................... 14127 Pages books and tracts distributed............ 118002 No. of new societies organized..................... 4 We are truly thankful for the promptness with which the reports for the last quarter were sent in, and also for the excellent letters which accompanied them. These letters are full of encouragement, and breathe a spirit of devotion to the work, which is surely inspired of God. There is a steadily growing interest in the weekly meetings, and several societies where6uch meet ings have not been held in the past, have lately entered into this part of the work with good results. While not as much reading matter has been distributed as at some other times, there seems to be a i teadily deepening conviction that the work must be mure carefully and prayerfully done. There is evidently a realizing sense that heart work is what *8 needed, and some precious experiences are being gained by those who have accepted as their motto, “Not how much, but how well.” We note with deepest thankfulness this evidence that the lior.l has blessed the efforts which have been made in our conference to bring the work up to a higher standard. May the Lord inspire every heart with courage that never falters, and with faith which looks beyond all trial and perplexity and endures “as seeing Him wl o is invhibe.” A. E. E. A Letter. To mv Dear Fellow Librarians:— I have been thinking for some time of sending you a letter through the Worker. I noticed a report from a brother in a late number of the Worker stating that the Dec number of the “Home Missionary ” gave a showing of only five and four tenths cents per member for the quarter ending Sept. 30, 1894, for First Day Offerings. Now what I wanted* to tell you is this: I have heard several of our brethren say that the librarians are in a measure at fault in this matter, and if they would bring up the matter of First Day Offerings in the nissionary meetings oftener, and sh )\ the brethren and bisters what a great work we have to do yin giving the message. “To every nation and kindred .m J tongue and people,” that there would be ‘ten times the amount given that there is at the present time. Now, dear librarians, we know of course, whether tine is so or not, but let us never let any one have occasi >n to talk in this way. Let us learn a lesson *rom the ltnpoitunate widow. Just press this work till every man, woman and child belonging to the churches in Minn, will “rise and give” as much as is needed tc extend the work of the message. Of coo.se you don’t have any preachers »n your society, or they v ~uld attend to this matter better. But if you should ^appen to have one who acts as chairman in your missionary meetings (and takes up most of the time) ask him very modestly, once in a while if you can have five or ten minutes, as you have a very important matter to bring before the society. I have be looking over the reports of First Day Offerings ir are, and >, is truely surprising to see the small amount that has been given. Tncrais no privilege that l esteem more highly than this, to know that in this way I can be a co worker with God in the salva tion of souls. " Dear librarians, let us take a broad view of this work and present it : such in our weekly meetings. May tue dear Lord otrengthen and help uj in this great work. Mrs. Maria Mead, Librarian. The Canvassers. The Lord ( mt nues to b'ess those at work in this branch of t work. H. E. Nash canvassing in St. Cloud, took 77 orders for Glorious Appe.-rng and delivered 52 of them in %% days, Je is of good courage. A. M. Tatton is canvassing now in Fargo. b. H. W.ng is attending school in Minneapolis in the forenoon and canvassing afternoons for our small works. Last week in f;>ur aftornpo is he took 20 orders for Glorious Appeal ing, and 1 for Bible Readings. He enjoys the work very much. The eveuing of Jan. 26, some fifteen canvassers who are attending school at Minneapolis, met and had an experience meeting. The Lord came preciously near and blessed by ms tpirit, and it was truly encouraging to near in how many different waysthe.Lard has blessed the canvassers the past season. All present were much enecuraged and felt to press forward in the work. I believe there are many now doing but little to spread the glorious truth for these times, who if they could only realize the blessing in store. would consecrate tnemselves to God and join the army of canvassers. Jod’s cause is onward, brolhren, victory is just ahead. I arrived at Battle Creek Jan. 30, and have just seen Bco. F. L. Mead. The canvassers’ convention commences to morrow. I expect it will be a profitable time. C. M. Everest. “Whatever you are called to do by the grace of God, you may be enabled to do by the power of God.”